Learning Support

Learning Support starts and continues in the classroom; inclusivity is at the heart of Focus schools. As our schools operate in a non-selective environment there will always be students who have greater needs than others, or who access learning in different ways and consequently need alternative approaches in teaching and learning.

Quality first teaching is central to effective support of students with learning needs and it is recognised in Focus schools that every teacher is a teacher of children with special needs.

Where a student is entered onto the SEND register due to their needs being greater than can be met solely by quality differentiated teaching, a support structure is available in each school with qualified provision to supply additional help and expertise.

Where necessary this provision can be supported by external assessments to identify learning needs and recommend strategies to effectively support the student in a very personalised way. There is significant emphasis placed on maintaining the wider objective that wherever possible the student will remain included as part of their peer group in meeting their social and emotional needs as well as addressing their learning needs.